The Science-Backed Magic of Visualization

Core Article: The Science-Backed “Magic” of Visualization

Two Paragraphs I’m Pondering: “Imagination is more important than…”

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire: “I release worries…”

Book Review: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Cool Stuff: Why do we call psychiatrists “shrinks?”

AI Info & Resources: Interesting AI survey insights about small businesses

The Science-Backed Magic of Visualization

Back when I was hired to run launches for some big-name entrepreneurs, it wasn’t just about crafting a smart strategy or hitting the right numbers.

It was about helping people see what was possible—before it actually happened.

One client in particular still stays with me. She had it all: the expertise, the content, the audience. On paper, it looked like a no-brainer win. Yet when I sat across from her, I could feel it. That quiet hesitancy underneath the spreadsheets and sales forecasts. She didn’t believe it would work. and was already bracing for a flop.

And that doubt? It was already shaping the outcome before we’d even begun.

It took me right back to one of my earliest visibility moments. Sweaty palms, racing heart, that loud voice in my head of what if I mess this up?

Someone told me something then that I never forgot:

“Don’t just prep your slides. Prep your mind. See it first.”

So I did. I started walking through it in my head, just like athletes do before a race. I’d picture standing tall, feet grounded, breathing steady. And then the faces of a smiling and engaged audience when my words resonated. I wasn’t just practicing. I was preparing my whole body to feel confident and safe.

And the craziest thing? It worked. That small shift helped me show up differently. Not as a “marketer with a plan,” but as someone who believed in what they were sharing.

Here’s the thing no one talks about: fear isn’t logical. You can know your content inside and out and still freeze when it’s go-time. That’s because the part of your brain that’s running the show in those moments? It’s not your thinking brain. It’s your subconscious. And your subconscious doesn’t speak logic, it speaks repetition.

Most of us are already running old mental loops:

“You’re going to mess up.”
“This won’t work.”
“They’re not going to get it.”

That’s why your shoulders might tense up before you post or email something that a lot of people will read. And it’s why you feel nervous before you speak in front of an audience. Your brain’s replaying old data.

Visualization interrupts that loop. Neuroscientists call it “functional equivalence.” When you vividly imagine doing something, your brain fires off almost the same pathways as if you were actually doing it. You’re not faking it, you’re training for it.

This is why Olympic athletes visualize their race. Why surgeons mentally rehearse before operating. And why pilots walk through takeoff before ever leaving the ground.

You can use the same tool in your business. To show up as the version of you who feels calm, grounded, knows your stuff, and is ready to help thousands of people.

This is the part people don’t tell you about. Visualization isn’t about faking confidence. It’s about building trust in yourself. It’s the difference between authentic, honest, and real, versus trying to be something you’re not.

And if that phrase “fake it till you make it” has ever rubbed you the wrong way, you’re not alone. I created a video on this exact topic because I think there’s a better way. A more aligned way. One that invites you to show up as your most honest and truthful self without having to pretend you’ve got it all figured out. (If you’re curious, you can find it on LinkedIn right here.)

That client I mentioned? This practice changed everything for her. I didn’t just build a launch strategy; I built a daily visualization routine for her. Each day, she closed her eyes and practiced. Step by step. So when her cart opened? Her body already knew what to do. And the launch? Not only was it successful, it felt really good cuz she knew her stuff.

Let’s try this, you with me?

Pick something that’s making you nervous. Maybe it’s recording a video, writing an email, sharing a personal story, or jumping on a call with a potential dream client.

Now close your eyes and walk yourself through it slowly.

Notice the details:

What are you wearing?
What does the space you’re in feel like?
Can you see someone’s face lighting up as your words land?

Feel your feet on the floor. Hear your voice steady and strong.

Breathe.

Do this for just a few minutes every day about something you’re putting off, or maybe something you’re a bit nervous about doing. Because every time you rehearse it in your head and run through all those amazing feelings of your success, you’re laying down new grooves in your brain. You’re teaching your body that this is safe. That you can and are doing this.

And when you do? Marketing stops feeling hard and will start feeling more like you.

The grounded, wise, compassionate, purpose-driven you, your dream clients have been waiting for.

So tonight, before your head hits the pillow, walk yourself through the thing you’ve been avoiding (Or maybe it’s something you want to accomplish!) as if you’ve already done it. Just for a few minutes. Let your body and brain rehearse your success.

Because once you see it first? You’re already halfway to creating it.

Before I sign off —

I couldn’t let this day go by since it’s been 24 Years since the September 11 Tragedy. I won’t ever forget it cuz I was there. Thank goodness not in the city. I was working outside the city that day and was totally affected by family members who were in the city, and just the madness of that day.

One of the things I did several years ago, when I found myself back in NYC with my spouse, was visit the September 11 museum there. Wow. It’s incredibly moving and surreal. Even if you just go to the park outside and see the reflecting pools where the two buildings used to stand. My heart goes out to all who were affected by the events of that tragic day….

Two Paragraphs I’m Pondering

“My method is different. I do not rush into actual work. When I get a new idea, I start at once building it up in my imagination, and make improvements and operate the device in my mind. When I have gone so far as to embody everything in my invention, every possible improvement I can think of, and when I see no fault anywhere, I put into concrete form the final product of my brain.” – Nikola Tesla

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.” – Albert Einstein

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire

“I embrace my ability to make a profound difference in the lives of thousands, leaving a legacy of hope, wisdom, and abundance.”
“My mind is calm, my heart is open, and I experience life with profound awareness and gratitude.”
“I release worries and embrace peace, knowing the present moment holds the key to my happiness.”

Book Review

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Cool Stuff

Thoughtful report about the “State of the Consumer” in 2025. It focuses on “When disruption becomes permanent. It’s an interesting read on consumer behavior and habits since the pandemic.
This intrigued me, “Why do we call psychiatrists shrinks?” I mean, sure, there’s the obvious, yet this gives you the interesting history behind it.
I do love music and was wondering why my focus hasn’t been on my whole library lately. Hmmmm, do tell why this is — It has something to do with aging…

AI Info and Resources

Interesting how the legal system is redefining its business development and client services with AI. And not what you may think…
Google Discover added its AI summaries, which I’ve started to use a lot more. So any business that’s advertising on Google will undoubtedly see a decline in its traffic.
Interesting AI survey insights about how small businesses are using AI.

Weekly Photos

There’s my hiking buddy Emma, who I miss sooo much. And as much as I’d love to get another dog right now. My heart just can’t take that. It needs some time to heal. I do love this pic of her, with the sun coming up. I have it on my home screen on my computer.
The deer are out on the trail. So these two eat leaves off a tree in the woods.
Here’s another view of the Sacramento River Trail. This was an early morning when there was a bit of fog on the river.
This dog would paw at my hand and pull it close to her, so I would keep petting her chest.
Check out the white butterfly. It’s almost too bright to see her. I do love seeing all kinds of life on the trails.
One more of Emma, who loved being outside hanging with us on the deck. So many birds and deer to check out.
One of my favorite pics of the bridge and the Sacramento River with a wee bit of fog on the water.

NEW: P.S. This is me being bold and giving you an invitation. 🙂 I’m going to run the Soulful Marketing Accelerator Cohort again. If you’re longing for like-minded community and ready to move through your fears to grow a purpose-driven business rooted in authenticity and aligned with your dream clients… Welllll. Go here to be first in line when I reopen the doors again. Would love to have you.

P.S.S. Whenever You’re Ready: Here are 3 Ways I can make an impact on creating greater success in your business using marketing that’s aligned with your mission and values without feeling like you’re selling your soul.

1. Make Money Now Sheet – It’s one of the bonuses in my 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. I wanted to give it to you for free to help you create more success.

2. Love Books Like I Do? – I’m always reviewing the best nonfiction books – Where Buddha Meets Business.

3. Get my proven 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. It gives you the framework you need to implement authentic and connected marketing using online customer experiences and launching your products, services, or courses. It will help you create greater success.

It’s a simple system, especially if you love to read like me. There’s no video or audio. Plus, you get my proven templates, tools, and worksheets, all with tremendous value. And I’m pricing it incredibly low so it can be more accessible to more people. 🙂

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